Go Team Ireland - Special Olympics achievement

Team Ireland’s remarkable achievement at the Special Olympics World Summer Games is testament not just to the athletes’ talents and hard work but also to the indomitable human spirit within each one of us to overcome adversity — even in the most straitened circumstances.

It is also a triumph of the love, guidance and endurance exhibited by their families and loved ones.

Like any athlete — be it an All Ireland hurler or an Olympic runner— the athlete cannot triumph without the love and support of the people closest to them.

The 21-year-old gymnast Kirsty Devlin from Belfast claimed the first Irish gold. In all she took four medals: two gold and two silver. Elizabeth Devlin, mother of Kirsty, hailed her daughter’s efforts and said: “I’m absolutely so proud — the tears were in my eyes, watching Kirsty. She’s just amazing. The whole family is so proud of her.”

As we celebrate her achievement and that of her fellow athletes, we should give a thought to the mothers, fathers and siblings of our Olympians. They deserve a medal, too.